We need to change conversation about sexual violence

Think about your most uncomfortable moment as an adolescent. Easily mine was "The Talk" with my father. There were many moments of awkward silences, uncomfortable laughs, even a couple of poorly drawn diagrams.

Amid the blinding awkwardness of this conversation, the message my father conveyed to me was monumental. Not because I thought I was finally a man, but because my father was laying the expectation on me of how to act in the company of a young woman.

The learning objectives were clear and concise: If a woman ever says no, respect and adhere to the no; put her needs above your own; if you ever abuse a woman in any way you better hope the police catch you before I do. For these objectives, I'm eternally grateful.

Even through the efforts of my father and thousands of parents throughout Indiana, teen dating violence and sexual violence is a public health issue that affects all of us on a daily basis. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Indiana ranks second in the nation among high school-age girls who reported being sexually assaulted. One in five teens in a serious relationship reports having been hit, slapped or pushed by a partner.

It's time that we change the conversation about rape and teen dating violence. Not talking about or ignoring these issues will not make them go away. As parents or caregivers, it's vital in understanding what you need to do to protect your children from being a victim or an offender.

To learn more, visit www.incasa.org. The site includes a blog post by Karen Duncan, the Indiana Coalition Against Sexual Assault's director of community engagement, that covers changing the conversation about rape, with a focus on what parents need to do to protect their children from being raped or becoming a rapist.

Erik M. Scheub

Indiana Coalition Against Sexual Assault

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We need to change conversation about sexual violence

Think about your most uncomfortable moment as an adolescent. Easily mine was 'The Talk' with my father. There were many moments of awkward silences, uncomfortable laughs, even a couple of poorly